National Commission for Woman has taken suo moto cognizance of the shocking incident that took place in a private hospital in Gurugram wherein a 46-year-old air hostess was allegedly sexually assaulted by hospital staff while on ventilator support.
The victim was admitted in the hospital on April 5 when she faced some serious health complications in the private hospital in Gurugram after which she was said to have been put on ventilator. According to her statement to the police, even though she was quite unwell and therefore unable to communicate, she realized the assault but remained silent out of fear.
However, when she was discharged from the hospital, an FIR was lodged with Police mentioning details of the crime by the family of the victim. While Police has begun investigations into allegations by looking into every minor detail from the beginning, no substantial clue has yet been found to identify the culprits . Nor have the allegations yet been substantiated.
The National Commission for Women has demanded a detailed report within three days. Police are investigating CCTV footage, and the hospital has claimed to be cooperating with authorities. One more shocking aspect of the whole incident according to victim remains that two nurses of the hospital were around when the assault happened.
The case came to light after the 46-year-old air hostess registered a complaint alleging that she was sexually assaulted by hospital staff while unconscious and on a ventilator.
The victim, who had come to Gurugram for airline training, initially fell ill after nearly drowning in a hotel swimming pool where she was staying. She was admitted to the said private hospital for emergency care. Later, on April 6, she was transferred to another private hospital in the Sadar area by her husband as her health deteriorated, where the alleged incident took place.
The woman told police that while she was unconscious and connected to life support, she sensed inappropriate physical contact from hospital staff but was unable to move, scream, or resist due to her critical condition. According to a PTI report, the woman claimed that 'during the assault two nurses were around her but they did not intervene'.
She was discharged from the hospital on April 13. Upon returning home, she informed her husband about the alleged assault, and contacted helpline number 112. The couple then filed an official complaint at the Sadar police station with the assistance of their legal advisor.
Following the complaint, Gurugram Police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to sexual assault. The Police PRO confirmed that an FIR has been lodged, and a full-scale investigation is underway.
“We are taking this matter very seriously. Statements are being recorded, hospital staff are being questioned, and CCTV footage from the hospital premises is being reviewed,” said the police spokesperson.
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